Monday's Letters to the Editor

August 23, 2013, 5:53PM

08/23/2013

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EDITOR: I don't condone Efren Carrillo's behavior on July 13, nor am I insensitive to the fear he caused as a result. I also realize that his fellow supervisors and supporters felt the need to condemn his behavior or risk their political futures. He has taken responsibility for his actions and will face the legal consequences, as he well should.

However, I am surprised at the number of people who have judged his actions with so few known facts. It's obvious to me that other direct witnesses are involved and have been protected, perhaps rightfully so — or not. At any rate, there seems to be blatant disregard for our criminal justice system, which assumes a suspect's innocence until proven guilty to a jury of his peers.

Also, what sexual predator walks down the street in his underwear and socks? I would think he'd want to wear dark clothing and running shoes.

GLORIA DE SALVO

Santa Rosa

<b>Bargain camping</b>

EDITOR: Alan Petty ("Our greatest idea," Letters, Aug. 16) lamented the cost of renting a campsite on California's coastline. While budgeting for state parks is a dark subject, there is a bargain to be had in our national parks.

I like to go backpacking in the Sierra, but I usually avoided Yosemite because of the cost and the crowds. Last year, though, I discovered the senior pass. The minimum age is only 60, and, for a one-time $10 fee, the pass gives me free access (by the carload) to any national park and free camping in select campgrounds. I'm surprised that more people don't take advantage of this.

EDITOR: On July 30, The Press Democrat reported that six adult female prostitutes were arrested ("Three county teens rescued in sex sting"). But according to the Sonoma County sheriff and the district attorney, the women weren't arrested. They were treated as "victims" and "rescued," said the district attorney on KSRO. The sheriff told me via email that "one of the goals was to try and divert the women from prostitution by arresting their pimps and then have nonprofit groups work with the women."

So here is another example of women's advocates successfully persuading law enforcement and prosecutors that women who break the law should not be held accountable, which only infantilizes women and further promotes the culture of victimization when it comes to gender politics.

The same is true for women who knowingly file a false police report that they were raped. It is extremely rare for law enforcement to make arrests for such, the justification being, according to women's advocates, that this would discourage legitimate victims from coming forward to authorities. One could argue, however, that making false rape reports actually hurts legitimate victims. In 2010, the Orlando, Fla. police department cautioned residents that filing false rape reports wastes money and time and keeps real victims from reporting true crimes.

JOE MANTHEY

Petaluma

<b>DUI checkpoints</b>

EDITOR: Another stellar performance for DUI checkpoints in Sonoma County: 2,305 people detained by the Petaluma crew, resulting in four drunken-driving arrests ("DUI enforcement steps up in advance of Labor Day," Aug. 26). What a terrific use of taxpayer dollars.

The U.S. Supreme Court was flat wrong when stating that innocent people could be stopped and forced to present papers with no probable cause to believe they had committed a crime.

Petaluma police Sgt. Ken Savano can talk as if his people are heroes for stopping Joe Citizen on his way home from a baseball game, but the truth is this: Checkpoints are ineffective, expensive and only drive up what we pay the police in retirement.

We had a checkpoint here in Ukiah recently, and I proudly sat in my vehicle with a sign warning drivers in advance of the checkpoint. I will continue to do this any time I see a checkpoint. I am not pro-DUI, but I am pro-freedom and pro-Constitution.

Had checkpoints existed when I was a police officer, I would have refused to work them because I believe in the Constitution and the ability to travel freely.

EDITOR: I don't condone Efren Carrillo's behavior on July 13, nor am I insensitive to the fear he caused as a result. I also realize that his fellow supervisors and supporters felt the need to condemn his behavior or risk their political futures. He has taken responsibility for his actions and will face the legal consequences, as he well should.

However, I am surprised at the number of people who have judged his actions with so few known facts. It's obvious to me that other direct witnesses are involved and have been protected, perhaps rightfully so — or not. At any rate, there seems to be blatant disregard for our criminal justice system, which assumes a suspect's innocence until proven guilty to a jury of his peers.

Also, what sexual predator walks down the street in his underwear and socks? I would think he'd want to wear dark clothing and running shoes.

GLORIA DE SALVO

Santa Rosa

<b>Bargain camping</b>

EDITOR: Alan Petty ("Our greatest idea," Letters, Aug. 16) lamented the cost of renting a campsite on California's coastline. While budgeting for state parks is a dark subject, there is a bargain to be had in our national parks.

I like to go backpacking in the Sierra, but I usually avoided Yosemite because of the cost and the crowds. Last year, though, I discovered the senior pass. The minimum age is only 60, and, for a one-time $10 fee, the pass gives me free access (by the carload) to any national park and free camping in select campgrounds. I'm surprised that more people don't take advantage of this.

JOE GAFFNEY

Rohnert Park

<b>Crimes unpunished</b>

EDITOR: On July 30, The Press Democrat reported that six adult female prostitutes were arrested ("Three county teens rescued in sex sting"). But according to the Sonoma County sheriff and the district attorney, the women weren't arrested. They were treated as "victims" and "rescued," said the district attorney on KSRO. The sheriff told me via email that "one of the goals was to try and divert the women from prostitution by arresting their pimps and then have nonprofit groups work with the women."

So here is another example of women's advocates successfully persuading law enforcement and prosecutors that women who break the law should not be held accountable, which only infantilizes women and further promotes the culture of victimization when it comes to gender politics.

The same is true for women who knowingly file a false police report that they were raped. It is extremely rare for law enforcement to make arrests for such, the justification being, according to women's advocates, that this would discourage legitimate victims from coming forward to authorities. One could argue, however, that making false rape reports actually hurts legitimate victims. In 2010, the Orlando, Fla. police department cautioned residents that filing false rape reports wastes money and time and keeps real victims from reporting true crimes.

JOE MANTHEY

Petaluma

<b>DUI checkpoints</b>

EDITOR: Another stellar performance for DUI checkpoints in Sonoma County: 2,305 people detained by the Petaluma crew, resulting in four drunken-driving arrests ("DUI enforcement steps up in advance of Labor Day," Aug. 26). What a terrific use of taxpayer dollars.

The U.S. Supreme Court was flat wrong when stating that innocent people could be stopped and forced to present papers with no probable cause to believe they had committed a crime.

Petaluma police Sgt. Ken Savano can talk as if his people are heroes for stopping Joe Citizen on his way home from a baseball game, but the truth is this: Checkpoints are ineffective, expensive and only drive up what we pay the police in retirement.

We had a checkpoint here in Ukiah recently, and I proudly sat in my vehicle with a sign warning drivers in advance of the checkpoint. I will continue to do this any time I see a checkpoint. I am not pro-DUI, but I am pro-freedom and pro-Constitution.

Had checkpoints existed when I was a police officer, I would have refused to work them because I believe in the Constitution and the ability to travel freely.